The project encapsulates the development of the following core modules:
1. Discovery – identification of residual uptake pathways through value chain and BioLink models, enabling systematic exploration of alternative circular routes rather than ad hoc, one-off use cases.
2. Matchmaking – intelligent matchmaking between companies based on BioLink models, generating concrete BioLinks (viable value chain configurations) linking residual producers, circular technology providers and feedstock buyers.
Compared to existing solutions, the major added value of VCG is its holistic approach to value chain building. While current platforms typically focus either on simple waste - buyer matching (e.g. trading “waste” as a commodity) or on narrow segments of the ecosystem, VCG simultaneously integrates three stakeholder groups: residuals producers, circular technology holders (including their TRL level, IP landscape and location), and downstream feedstock buyers. This multilateral approach substantially improves matchmaking capabilities compared to ecosystem-building tools and B2B trading platforms, which do not systematically combine technical, economic and spatial constraints across the entire value chain.
The currently achieved impacts are:
• Significant acceleration of the identification and design of circular value chains, reducing time and cost for both industry and public actors.
• Better risk-informed and faster investment decisions through transparent evaluation of TRL, IP constraints, and market demand.
• Stronger ecosystem building, as residuals producers, technology providers and offtakers are matched in coherent, multi-actor value chains rather than isolated bilateral deals.
• Increased overall utilisation of industrial residuals and bio-based feedstocks, supporting EU circular economy and climate objectives.
To ensure further uptake and long-term success, several key needs have been identified (planned in the next phases of the EIC project):
• Completion of the matchmaking algorithms
• Testing, validation and verification of components
• Demonstrations and reference cases
• IP protection (in progress – 3 patents filed and positively evaluated, 7 registered designs)
• Furtner investments and finance - both to scale the platform commercially (sales, onboarding, support) and to build new features
